2005 OutlookDefensive end Adam Blankenship impressed the Nebraska coaching staff as a redshirt last fall, and had a strong showing on the practice field this spring. Blankenship enters the fall listed as a reserve behind junior Jay Moore at the Huskers' open end position, and hopes to push for playing time this fall.

The 6-2, 245-pound Blankenship is one of four Oklahoma natives to sign with Nebraska since Bill Callahan took over as NU's head coach. Blankenship joined the Nebraska program from prep powerhouse Tulsa Union High School.

Blankenship is off to a strong start in the classroom, carrying a 3.181 grade-point average after two semesters of college.

2004 (Redshirt)Blankenship redshirted in his first season in the Nebraska program.

Before Nebraska (Union HS)Blankenship was Nebraska's first signee from Oklahoma since 1998. He starred at annual powerhouse Tulsa Union High for his father, Bill Blankenship. The younger Blankenship earned first-team all-state honors from the Tulsa World and the Oklahoma Coaches Association (OCA) as a senior, while picking up second-team all-state honors from the Daily Oklahoman. Blankenship was also named the OCA Region 7 Male Athlete of the Year.

Blankenship was a first-team all-district (6A-3) selection and was chosen to participate in the 67th Annual Oil Bowl, matching all-star teams from Texas and Oklahoma. As a senior, he helped Union to a 12-1 record and a state semifinal appearance in Class 6A (largest) where Union was defeated by rival Jenks High School. Blankenship made 85 tackles, had 10 sacks and recovered three fumbles as a senior from his defensive end position. On offense, he rotated in at the tight end spot.

Union was a perfect 14-0 and captured the 6A state title during his junior year. He totaled 86 tackles, including eight sacks, and recovered four fumbles in Union's championship season, earning second-team all-state honors along the way.

Blankenship has two older brothers who have played Division I-A football. Caleb was a senior tight end at Tulsa in 2004, and Josh completed his career as a quarterback at Eastern Washington in 2002, after playing for three seasons at Tulsa. Adam's father, Bill, played quarterback for Tulsa in the 1970s. Adam was also a four-year letterman in track and finished second in the state in the shot put and fourth in the discus in 2004. Blankenship chose Nebraska over Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas, among others.

PersonalBlankenship is the son of Bill and Angela Blankenship and was born on June 17, 1985. He has not declared a major.